Probationary periods are a matter of company policy not law. If a company wants to have them and to sack/not sack you at the end of that period they can do so. However they are a pretty stupid concept. Are you going to work harder during probation? Are you going to stop working after you pass it? The company can sack you without cause at any time within the first two years... so in essence you are on probation for the whole of the first two years. Much better not to let them know and just see how they work when they don't think they are being scrutinised.

Probationary periods have no basis in law. You can legally be fired for no reason in the first two years for no reason.

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Agree with this to a degree. As long as you are not fired in relation to protected characteristic ie gender, religion, ethnicity etc your employment can be terminated. You can be dismissed for conduct, capability etc however, employers should always try to follow a fair process ie capability - where practicable implement and PiP to support gaps in employees knowledge.

Probation periods can and do serve a useful purpose. Things someone on probation might expect:

1. A review at the end of their probation (employees might only get annual reviews once their probation is over).

2. A lot companies don't offer perks to people on probation, so by proving yourself over the first x months, you get access to company perks (whatever they may be).

3. Helps bed in new staff with clients, if they are customer facing. Much like a driver's L plate, someone on probation, who is clearly in training, usually gets a bit more patience from the client than they might otherwise get.

4. It gives the new staffer a morale boost - it is a sign that the Management have reviewed your progress and concluded that you no longer need training in your job, you can fly solo and will be trusted to do so.